disputed lead, headed over 2f out, ridden in 3rd entering straight and soon no chance with easy winner, kept on one pace
disputed lead, led briefly over 2f out, ridden and headed entering straight, soon no chance with easy winner, kept on one pace
tracked leaders outer, ran freely, 4th halfway, ridden and dropped to rear entering straight, no extra, eased final furlong
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th and no impression entering straight, kept on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
in rear, ridden in 5th entering straight and no impression 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 4th close home
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress outer to lead entering straight and soon drew clear, stayed on well final furlong, very easily
Aidan O'Brien has won this twice in six years and has a pair of entries this time. Antelope Canyon couldn't handle Group 3 class at the Curragh after his maiden victory at Roscommon but this is more his level. Dancing On Air ran in a Listed contest at Naas before taking the nursery route at the Curragh where he stayed on nicely over the 6f trip. However, the winner, LEATH NA HOIBRE was impressive and looks the type to continue to win races at this level. Hoppala has run behind three Ballydoyle 'hotpots' since his debut and performed with credit so it will be a surprise if he's not there at the finish and none of the remaining trio can be dismissed, especially Waipu Cove, who wasn't far behind Antelope Canyon last time and is much better off at the weights.
Antelope Canyon (FR) 16-1 (9-3) Prominent in 2nd, pushed along from halfway, impeded 1 1/2f out, soon dropped to rear and no impression, last of 5, 6l behind Final Frontier (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Hoppala (IRE) 9-2fav (9-5) Broke well to lead, pushed along and attempted to assert 2f out, pressed 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Air Vice Marshal (9-5) at Gowran Park 7f mdn gf in Jun.
Leath Na Hoibre (IRE) 2-1fav (9-1) Soon led, pressed from 2f out and ridden, drifted right under pressure from over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Curragh 6f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul beating Flirt (8-11) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Fit For Function 16-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, dropped to 6th 1f out, no extra and eased inside final furlong,, 7th of 8, 11l behind Promised Money (8-12) at Tipperary 5f lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Dancing On Air (IRE) 4-1fav (8-13) Settled towards rear, ridden in rear from 2f out, switched right from 1f out, no impression inside final furlong when slightly hampered, kept on same pace close home, 5th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Leath Na Hoibre (9-1) at Curragh 6f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Waipu Cove 7-1 (9-5) Held up in touch on outer, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Antelope Canyon (9-5) at Roscommon 7f mdn gd in Jul.
Auld Enemy (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Soon narrow leader, pushed along and headed from 2 1/2f out, dropped to last from over 1f out, no extra and eased inside final furlong, last of 4, 8 3/4l behind Argentero (9-3) at Naas 6f lst stks (1) Good - Yielding in Jun.
